In Memory Of Cowboy

It wasn't too long ago that I sold my horse. His name was "Cowboy" and he was a Sorrel Quarter Horse. He was a great horse and created many memories for me. Ask me sometime and I'll tell you about them.

Getting ready for a ride.

Fully prepared and ready to go with ears perked.

Sarcasm

I was brought to a sudden desire to see and understand the true meaning of sarcasm through a recent conversation I had with a very intellectual and scholarly individual. The question that came to my mind was, Is Sarcasm wrong or is it just a sense of expression that is only for those who are not faint at heart and are wrapped with a thick epidermis? As I have pondered this question in my mind I began to realize that many of us find sarcasm as a means of being mentally sharp. But is Sarcasm really a sign of mental sharpness and quick wittedness or just another form of degradation? What purpose does sarcasm really serve? Do we edify one another with a spirit of meekness by displaying just how fast we are able to spit words out to counter the words spoken by another individual?

Sarcasm is very enjoyable to the person who is being sarcastic. And yet to the person who is the receiver it can be unpleasant. I confess that I have had my share of sarcastic moments in which my flesh was very well pleased at how I was able to make some nitwit look silly. But have you ever stopped and thought about what you said after you said it? As the words that leave your lips bounce off the expression of your victims face and back into your ears and straight to your brain, your heart falls into your stomach. You find yourself getting uncomfortable as you realize that your words were sharp and cunningly hurtful. And yet because of the pride within your heart you try feverishly to laugh it away and comfort the now ashamed person by telling them that it was just a joke. But you know yourself that they were greatly embarrassed. And now they display a wounded and helpless persona while those that stand around laugh with pleasure and delight as they sing your praise.

In all of this action the question is the same, did you help someone or did you in fact do the opposite and tear them down? I contend that sarcasm is often an attempt to lift ones self up by pushing others down. It’s like the bully at the playground who isn’t able to climb the monkey bars so he doesn’t allow others to get on them. Many times we don’t intend on hurting others and yet in our own attempts to not be seen as intellectually challenged we make others feel small by being sarcastic.

James understood the power of our words.

James 3:5-6; “ Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity; so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. “

And yet how often do we forget what an effect our choice of words can have on others around us? To those who have made it a habit of being sarcastic it becomes a natural part of their being. And yet sarcasm can be a sign of a lack of discipline one has over their tongue. Sarcasm is not just a fun way of expressing ones view point, but it can become cynicism very quickly and unnoticed. As one writer put it “It is a line that is smudged and blurry so that one can not know the exact moment when they have stepped from one side into the other.”

What is interesting to me is where we get the word “Sarcasm.” The word Sarcasm comes from the Latin word; Sarcasmus, and the Greek word; Sarkasmós and is a derivative of the verb Sarkázein. The word Sarkázein in its original sense meant “to tear flesh like dogs.” Sarkazein is in turn derived from sarx, “flesh.” A form of this Greek word is found as sarco, in the English word sarcophagus, which literally means “flesh-eating” in Greek.

This then gives evidence that Sarcasm in its true context and original formation is an action of destruction. If we stop and think about sarcasm isn’t that exactly what we do? Sarcasm is something that we use to make a mockery of our target and this is why we make mention that only those with tough skin are able to handle Sarcasm. But what is the purpose of Sarcasm then if it’s true purpose is to make one feel broken and beaten?

Another interesting fact is that the word Sarcasm is synonymous with the word “Derision” which means; to make a mockery or ridicule. The word “derision” is used 15 times throughout the scriptures and expresses the judgment of the Lord. This gives a new meaning to Sarcasm. The power we have in our mouth must be recognized and the use of our words must be weighed within our mind before we speak. This will allow us as the children of God to be able to be more effective.

Is Sarcasm a sin then? Is it our place to rend our brothers and sisters with words and to declare judgment upon them as if we are God? What is the fine line between Sarcasm and Irony? All I can say is that after really looking and beholding these facts I have a new outlook on the use of Sarcasm. I pray that God will give me the ability to be effective both in word and in deed. However, I understand that we all are flesh and no one is perfect, but the goal is to not be hurtful to others. You be the judge and governor of your own words and always stop and ask yourself. Why am I saying this and what purpose does it serve?

Disclaimer: This is just my thought on the subject. I don’t have this all figured out myself. “He’s still working on me.” Enjoy and please comment.

PEAK

First of all I must say that PEAK was AWESOME. The services were just filled with power and the whole atmosphere was just great. I enjoyed very much the opportunity of being with some really good friends again and being able to catch up on old times. But I also was thrilled to have met a whole lot of new folks. I had a great time hanging out with all of my new friends and just being able to rare back and have a good time was worth the trip. I will never forget the memories that were made on Friday night/Saturday morning. Village Inn holds many memories in its hand and I shall never forget the pleasure of drinking a Villaccino. God Bless Village Inn!!

This is Bro. Andrew Dillon enjoying some pancakes.

Full House!

Bro. Marks surrounded while preaching.

This is Stephen, Andy, Myself and Carl.

Carl, Stephen, Myself, Andy and Cory all leaning on Carls suave Escalade.

Sri Lanka

This is my Moms country.

Explanation

Many of you might be somewhat taken aback by the outlandish title of my blogspot. It is very intriguing even to myself. I was intending on sounding very intelligent and yea even convince those of great wisdom and understanding that I might be considered worthy to be placed in the same category of a philosopher. However, for those of you that have met me that fact has already been established and there is no need for further discussion. I suppose this is the part in the text when the use of the abbreviation "rofl" would be appropriate.

Now to explain my choice of words. It is my intention in life to become the best at whatever I handle. The truth is that I will not always accomplish this goal and yet it is one that I strive for. The reason I chose to use the words "Nutritive Cogitation for the Cranium" was to evoke curiosity within the minds of the readers. I will not endeavour to explain what the words mean at this point. I will speak the words that Jesus did in the early part of Matthew 9:13 "But go ye and learn what that meaneth,..."

Isn't it amazing that even Jesus did not always give direct answers for the things that he spoke and/or did. The scripture reveals to us that God is desirous to see man take the things he has given him and continue in faith. In my opinion the greatest act of faith and trusting in the simple words of God was displayed in the story of Abraham. Abraham was called by God in Gen 12:1 to leave all that he had known and everything he had worked so hard on acquiring and go to a place "...that I will show thee." The very request would have shot me through with mixed emotions of wanting to obey the Lord and yet questioning the authenticity of such a request.

It is the nature of man to question the Lord. Since the very beginning of time when Adam and Eve ate of the tree it was an act of not believing God. That is why Satan used the trick on Eve of getting her not to just eat of the tree based on what he himself told her. But he caused her to question herself and what God said by asking her the question in Gen 3:1 "Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?" This caused Eve to be confused and she ended up replying to the serpent in Gen 3:3 "God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die." God never said that they were not able to touch it. But it was the flesh and the desire of man to take what God said and hold it up to his own fragile and finite concepts and judge what the creator of all things has to say by his own immature understanding. This is how we fail and fall short of what God has for us.

But Abraham was not of the same mind set and way of thinking. That is why the Bible declares in one of my favorite passages in the word of God in Gen 12:4 "So Abram departed, as the LORD had spoken unto him;..." That first part of the scripture is enough to make me want to run all around the city with a leap in my step and a shout in my lungs. Because that is what I am striving for. We as the children of God will not be blessed as long as we try to figure out what God is going to do and trying to come up with reasons why he does certain things. The question is not whether God will accomplish his work or will he drop the ball. God will always have his way with or without us. And yet he gives us promises and speaks words of instruction to us to try our heart and see how we respond to his call.

If we are able to set aside our own longing for reason and just obey what God has placed before us, the will of God will be wrought. The Bible declares in Num 23:19 "God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?"

So.... why did I not explain to you what the meaning of my blog description is? The answer is "I don't know, maybe cause I don't feel like it..."